levetiracetam and Anorexia

To assess the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) as adjunctive therapy in children with treatment-resistant partial-onset seizures.. Children (aged 6-12 years) with treatment-resistant partial-onset seizures receiving one standard antiepileptic drug (AED) were eligible. After a 4-week baseline period, children received LEV in a 6-week titration phase (target dose, 40 mg/kg/day) followed by an 8-week evaluation phase. Seizure frequency during the evaluation period with individualized LEV doses (20-40 mg/kg/day) were compared with the 4-week baseline seizure frequency. Plasma concentrations of LEV and other AEDs were determined to evaluate potential drug interactions.. Twenty-four subjects enrolled and received LEV; 23 entered the evaluation phase, and 22 completed the evaluation phase. Compared with their baseline seizure frequency, 12 (52%) of 23 subjects entering the evaluation phase had their seizure frequency decrease by >50%. Two subjects remained seizure free during the entire evaluation period. LEV did not significantly affect plasma concentrations of any concomitant AED during this study, and no alteration of mean clinical laboratory values was observed. The most commonly reported adverse events were headache, infection, anorexia, and somnolence.. This open-label study of adjunctive LEV therapy (at 20-40 mg/kg/day) suggests that LEV is effective, safe, and well tolerated in children ages 6-12 years with treatment-resistant partial-onset seizures. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of LEV adjunctive therapy in children with treatment-resistant partial-onset seizures is needed and ongoing to confirm these open-label findings.

Topics: Age Factors; Age of Onset; Anorexia; Anticonvulsants; Child; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epilepsies, Partial; Female; Headache; Humans; Infections; Levetiracetam; Male; Piracetam; Sleep Wake Disorders; Treatment Outcome

Seizures are a common neurologic symptom of tuberous sclerosis complex. The use of levetiracetam as adjunctive antiepileptic therapy was assessed in 20 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex aged 2 to 19 years. In this retrospective evaluation, 40% of patients treated with levetiracetam achieved a seizure reduction of more than 50%. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated, and adverse events were relatively uncommon in patients who responded to treatment. The most commonly reported adverse events were behavioral problems. Unstable gait, insomnia, poor appetite, and increased seizure frequency were also reported. Based on these results, the use of levetiracetam as adjunctive antiepileptic therapy can reduce seizure frequency in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:53-57).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia; Anticonvulsants; Behavioral Symptoms; Child; Child, Preschool; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Humans; Infant; Levetiracetam; Male; Piracetam; Retrospective Studies; Seizures; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis